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A Common Reference Material for Cadmium Isotope Studies – NIST SRM 3108
Author(s) -
Abouchami Wafa,
Galer Stephen J. G.,
Horner Tristan J.,
Rehkämper Mark,
Wombacher Frank,
Xue Zichen,
Lambelet Myriam,
GaultRingold Melanie,
Stirling Claudine H.,
Schönbächler Maria,
Shiel Alyssa E.,
Weis Dominique,
Holdship Philip F.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geostandards and geoanalytical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.037
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1751-908X
pISSN - 1639-4488
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-908x.2012.00175.x
Subject(s) - nist , isotope , chemistry , mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , environmental chemistry , chromatography , computer science , physics , nuclear physics , natural language processing
Research into natural mass‐dependent stable isotope fractionation of cadmium has rapidly expanded in the past few years. Methodologies are diverse with MC‐ICP‐MS favoured by all but one laboratory, which uses thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). To quantify the isotope fractionation and correct for instrumental mass bias, double‐spike techniques, sample‐calibrator bracketing or element doping has been used. However, easy comparison between data sets has been hampered by the multitude of in‐house Cd solutions used as zero‐delta reference in different laboratories. The lack of a suitable isotopic reference material for Cd is detrimental for progress in the long term. We have conducted a comprehensive round‐robin assay of NIST SRM 3108 and the Cd isotope offsets to commonly used in‐house reference materials. Here, we advocate NIST SRM 3108 both as an isotope standard and the isotopic reference point for Cd and encourage its use as ‘zero‐delta’ in future studies. The purity of NIST SRM 3108 was evaluated regarding isobaric and polyatomic molecular interferences, and the levels of Zn, Pd and Sn found were not significant. The isotope ratio 114 Cd/ 110 Cd for NIST SRM 3108 lies within ∼ 10 ppm Da −1 of best estimates for the Bulk Silicate Earth and is validated for all measurement technologies currently in use.